Wednesday News Roundup: Santa Fe Vote Sought On Pot Decriminalization

Activists have submitted thousands of petition signatures to try to force a November vote in Santa Fe on decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana.

ProgressNow New Mexico and Drug Policy Action on Tuesday submitted petitions bearing more than 7,100 signatures. They need at least 5,763 valid signatures from registered city voters to force a vote on their proposal.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the Santa Fe proposal mirrors one which the groups are trying to get on the ballot in Albuquerque.

The proposal would make the penalty for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $25.

Possession of an ounce or less of marijuana in Santa Fe now is a petty misdemeanor for the first offense.

An Amber Alert issued for two children by New Mexico State Police and Las Vegas police was canceled after the kids were found unharmed.

State Police say 25-year-old Davina Wilkins was arrested on suspicion of custodial interference late Tuesday. She's accused of taking her two boys without authorization and in violation of a court order.

They say Wilkins was participating in a supervised visit with her children Tuesday afternoon when she fled the Children, Youth and Families Department facility with them.

Portales has officially broken ground on a $27 million treatment plant that will help the eastern New Mexico community meet its future water needs.

State Environment Secretary Ryan Flynn was among the officials at Tuesday's ceremony. He says the plant represents the largest state investment in a water facility in the department's history.

A state loan program provided more than $26 million. Portales also received state and federal grants for the project.

The wastewater treatment plant and reuse project has been under development for years. Construction is already underway and concrete work is expected to begin next week.

Portales Public Works Director John DeSha says the plant represents the first of a four-part plan to securing a lasting water supply for the city. The treated water will be used on city parks.

Lawsuit: DEA Paid New Mexico Man With Crack - The Associated Press

A lawsuit says federal agents paid a struggling addict in crack for his help with an undercover investigation into a Las Vegas, New Mexico drug operation.

Court papers filed this week in U.S. District Court say 38-year-old Aaron Romero was approached by DEA agents in 2011 to assist with drug deals in exchange for portions of the drugs obtained by authorities.

The lawsuit seeks $8.5 million in damages for the loss of "love, familial relationships, and companionship" related to Romero's crack addiction.

Navajo Nation To Hold Tribal Energy Summit - The Associated Press

The Navajo Nation is hugely dependent on coal for revenue.

Tribal officials want to get their government talking about how to diversify the portfolio at an energy summit.

The tribe's Division of Natural Resources is sponsoring the summit to be held July 23-24 at the Twin Arrows Navajo Casino Resort east of Flagstaff.

Navajo President Ben Shelly signed off an updated energy policy last October that keeps coal prominently in the tribe's energy mix. At the time, he said the tribe also must explore clean coal technology and make strides in renewable energy development.

The summit is a chance to discuss the energy policy, along with the history of natural resources on the Navajo Nation, coal markets, carbon capture and the future of renewable energy.

New Feature "Bare" To Film In New Mexico - The Associated Press

Another feature film is coming to New Mexico. New Mexico Film Office Director Nick Maniatis said Tuesday that the feature "Bare" will begin principal photography in Albuquerque and Moriarty at the end of July and film through mid-August. He says "Bare" is the story of a young girl living in Nevada who starts a complicated relationship with a female drifter who introduces her to a darker world and forces her to grow. The movie stars Imogen Poots, Riley Keough, Chris Zylka and Rachel Korine.